Beach day

Yesterday, I enjoyed a mini-vacation, if only for the day.

For the first time in months, I had a day off. When you are paid by the hour, and on contract, you don't get time off. And while I like the paychecks and sense of regularity, I am also a sucker for slacking on a Tuesday.

Instead of doing practical/boring things like getting my oil changed and going to the post office, I went to the beach. Definitely made the right call on that. One more week without an oil change won't kill the Honda.

Woke up late, suited up before eating so I didn't have to glare at the python. Kallisti took the day off too, so he could go to the beach and get some sun. After stocking up on sunscreen, we walked down to North Avenue beach.

The weather was perfect for a day at the beach. Mostly sunny, hot as blazes, but with a gentle breeze coming off the Lake. It was nice to sit in the sun while the sunscreen soaked in before wading around in the Lake. And when the clouds made the water a little chilly, it was nice to sprawl out on the sand with my book.

Lake beach is way different than Ocean beach. The most obvious part isn't even the fresh vs salt water thing as much as the entire lack of water action. You can wade out pretty far and still not be wet up to the waist. And for a water wuss like me, this is pretty nice. If you want to get good and wet, you can sit in the water, or salamander along like I did to amuse myself (for some reason, I move better backwards than forwards). Also, there is no tide, which cuts down on the lulling bob. Which makes the lifeguards stationed in canoes all the more arbitrary. I have been in more vicious bathtubs. And where were these people when I wiped-out three times in a row at Kitty Hawk? There is not alot of earthworking with the sand, which is harder packed. And then there is the whole city traffic thing.

Wandered up to Castaways for some frosty tropical beverages. An idea much better in theory than reality, since I don't think there was any rum in the watered-down pina coladas. And by this time, the clouds were more frequent, and we were both crazy hungry.

The walk home was a little rough, but I made it to the kitchen before going blank. Nothing like 95F heat, little food or water, and a mile walk in the sun to getcha. Fortunately this is a common enough occurrence with me that I know exactly how to cope and am never really ambushed by it anymore. Also, it's pretty easy to remedy with some cold water, AC, and a warm shower (not cold, that's just painful).

Had stir-fry for dinner, a nap, and DQ for dessert (it wouldn't be a proper beach day without ice cream.) And as a bonus, I got to ride downtown at night to help run an errand. And the city is magnificent by night.

So I think for my week off, I will buy one of those loungy rafts, and just park it in the Lake every day. It's gonna be awesome. Now if only the Cubs would start winning again.

on Pandora: "Control" - Poe